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The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) is delighted to announce that the Honourable Vainetutai Rose Toki Brown, Minister for Health for the Cook Islands, has accepted the role of Pacific Ambassador for the Global Summit for eye health.
In this new role, Minister Toki Brown will champion the importance of the Summit across the Pacific and globally, highlighting the leadership of Pacific Island countries in advancing eye health, sharing new national commitments, and showcasing the unique “Pacific approach” to integrated, people-centred eye care.
As the Pacific Ambassador for the Global Summit for Eye Health Ambassador, Minister Toki Brown will work alongside IAPB, governments, development partners and civil society to:
Brandon Ah Tong, IAPB Regional Chair for the Western Pacific, welcomed the announcement:
“We are absolutely thrilled that Minister Toki Brown has agreed to serve as Pacific Ambassador for the Global Summit for Eye Health. The Pacific has a powerful story to tell about how partnerships, community leadership and culturally grounded approaches can transform eye health. Minister Toki Brown’s leadership will help bring those stories – and new commitments – onto the global stage, inspiring action well beyond our region.
As countries work to strengthen their health systems, the Pacific is showing that eye health is not an add-on, but an essential part of achieving equitable, universal health coverage. Minister Toki Brown’s ambassadorship will help ensure that Pacific priorities and Pacific solutions are front and centre at the Summit.”
Accepting the role, Hon. Toki Brown said:
“I am honoured to serve as the Pacific Ambassador for the Global Summit for Eye Health. Our island nations know very well the impact that avoidable blindness and vision loss can have on families, communities and our economies – but we also know the difference that timely, quality eye care can make in people’s lives.
The Pacific may be small in population, but we are big in innovation, resilience and partnership. At the Global Summit I look forward to sharing our successes, announcing new commitments to strengthen eye health in our countries, and learning from others so we can continue to improve services for our people. This is an opportunity for the Pacific to speak with a strong, united voice on eye health, and I am proud to help carry that message to the world.”
IAPB looks forward to working closely with Minister Toki Brown and Pacific leaders to ensure the region’s achievements, ambitions and priorities are reflected throughout the Global Summit program.
